The Internet of Things (IoT) significantly impacts education through remote learning and various devices students use. The IoT can make learning more accessible, but it may also increase students’ engagement. Here’s how schools can make the most of the latest technology.
Is IoT Already Used in Education?
Schools have been using forms of IoT since the early days of the internet. For example, many schools worldwide upgraded from chalkboards directly to electronic whiteboards called smart boards. A 2020 study shows students had an easier time learning because the technology allowed them to interact with material visually and auditorily.
Schools still use them in 2023, but the IoT has progressed past electronic whiteboards to tablets and laptops. The New York City Department of Education provides students with tablets and laptops to improve remote learning. You can see the benefits of this technology since it gives students a familiar medium to connect with their teachers and classmates.
“A 2020 study shows students had an easier time learning because the technology allowed them to interact with the material visually and auditorily.”
Do Students Engage Because of IoT?
Institutions worldwide used IoT during the pandemic to allow students to access their classes and homework. It was initially widely used because it was necessary, but more schools are adopting it daily because of its many benefits.
Students can engage using IoT in various ways:
- Attendance: Absent students can use it to attend class remotely.
- Homework: Teachers can assign homework to help individual students engage with the material.
- Accessibility: Students with mobility or communication issues can use it for personalized learning.
The IoT allows students to engage with their education by giving them new opportunities. For example, it breaks down barriers by enabling children to attend school from the comfort of their homes using remote learning. Furthermore, students with disabilities can use custom technology to make learning easy. Their engagement rises when they can access their class and homework outside the building.
“It breaks down barriers by enabling children to attend school from the comfort of their homes using remote learning.”
In addition, schools that don’t have a particular facility or department can let students access them through another institution. For example, someone interested in science might not have a lab in their school. Instead of giving up their interest, they could use IoT to access another institution’s lab.
Things like this show you technology is evolving education to benefit students. It increases their engagement by making learning accessible and subsequently motivating.
IoT outperforms the traditional education model and provides information students can connect with. Previously, educators would use physical textbooks. However, printed information quickly becomes obsolete. Instead of teaching outdated material, teachers use IoT to introduce relevant topics. They benefit from connecting to what they’re learning and engaging more with new things.
How Does IoT Increase Student Interest?
Beyond engagement, IoT also increases student interest. It gives them access to information and experiences they wouldn’t have had otherwise. For example, because the Henry Ford Museum has been digitally mapped since 2015, students can go on a virtual field trip to the bus that Rosa Parks protested on. Experiences like this intrigue them. You can tell they have a better time learning diverse material they can interact with over reading a paragraph out of a textbook.
Students become interested in their education when their school gives them ways to collaborate. The IoT allows them to connect with people worldwide about shared educational interests. For example, creative writing students can use IoT to collaborate with their peers or publish their work on a certain platform.
“The IoT allows them to connect with people worldwide about shared educational interests.”
It gives them the tools to learn further about what they’re already interested in doing. Additionally, it may drive more students to other subjects they may not know about.
How Can IoT Increase Student Interest?
Already, over 50% of educators see the presence of AI increasing in their districts. The IoT makes education accessible and exciting to students, so you’ll likely see it implemented more in schools. More acceptance of connectivity in education is great, but it has to have a purpose.
Schools can increase interest by capitalizing on the technology already present. While new technology can be exciting, schools risk losing students’ attention if they allow them to be too connected.
Students are interested in their material because of the IoT but might be distracted if given too much connectivity. They can remain interested in their education if IoT is kept mainly in the hands of educators or if their devices are limited to showing only educational material. It is a fantastic tool that will help students become interested in their education as long as it relates to learning.
The Impact of IoT on Education
IoT has proven valuable and necessary to get students engaged in modern education. Connected technology is becoming common, enabling kids to engage more with a tailored classroom. It gives them platforms to communicate with their peers, which drives interest. Additionally, it is making class attendance accessible for students that would otherwise have to miss out on their education. The IoT benefits students on many levels and holds the promise of many good things.
